Rōran's pupils widened in shock. "W-what kind of madness are you talking about?"
Tōshirō spoke calmly, his tone unhurried. "To perform the Dragon Life Reincarnation Technique, you should already know what kind of price must be paid, don't you?"
Rōran's voice was low and grim. "That kind of jutsu requires extraordinary talent—and a bloodline limit. I don't possess that kind of kekkei genkai."
Tōshirō looked skeptical. "Really? You don't?"
Rōran stubbornly denied it. "No, I don't."
"Fine," Tōshirō said softly, though his words carried quiet menace. "But your daughter seems quite gifted. Perhaps she'll be able to learn the Dragon Life Reincarnation Technique someday."
Rōran's eyes flickered violently. "W-what did you just say?"
Tōshirō leaned closer, his voice turning cold. "Erasing or altering someone's memories—especially a child's—isn't difficult for me."
"Stop it! Ryūzetsu doesn't have the ability to inherit that bloodline limit!"
Tōshirō's tone remained casual, even playful. "You'll never know unless you try. Children sometimes awaken their bloodlines as they grow, don't they? Just like how our Uchiha clan's Sharingan manifests over time."
Rōran's eyes burned with fury. "You bastard—if you dare touch Ryūzetsu, I'll never forgive you!"
Tōshirō tilted his head, a pitying smile tugging at his lips. "How pitiful—you can't even recognize the difference in our strength."
"Bastard—!"
Rōran roared hysterically and charged forward, determined to fight to the death.
But Tōshirō moved faster—so fast his image blurred into an afterimage.
What—?!
Before Rōran could react, Tōshirō was already in front of him, his fist driving into Rōran's gut.
"Ugh—!"
Rōran coughed up blood, the pain forcing his body to tremble, yet he still swung his fist in defiance.
Tōshirō didn't even flinch. He casually blocked the blow, then drove his knee down hard into Rōran's shoulder, slamming him to the ground.
Rōran lay sprawled on the dirt, despair flooding his heart.
No… he's too strong.
Even without using any special techniques, Tōshirō's sheer taijutsu power completely crushed him.
Tōshirō crouched down, gripping Rōran's hair roughly and forcing him to meet his gaze.
Facing those eyes burning with defiance, Tōshirō merely smiled with mockery. "How adorable you look—baring your teeth like that when you're so weak."
Then, with a flick of his hand, he tossed Rōran aside like trash.
Rōran hit the ground hard, coughing uncontrollably.
"Well?" Tōshirō asked lazily. "Have you made up your mind?"
Rōran's lips trembled. "...Fine."
"That's better," Tōshirō said with a smirk. "You could've avoided all that pain if you'd just said so earlier."
Rōran looked him in the eye, unflinching. "But I have one condition."
"Oh? You still dare to make demands?" Tōshirō chuckled, amused. "Interesting. Let's hear it."
"You must never harm my daughter or lay a hand on Kusagakure again."
"Fine." Tōshirō agreed easily. "Your little backwater village never interested me anyway. As for your daughter—well, that depends on how well you cooperate."
Rōran spoke in a low tone. "I'll need time. I can't use the jutsu right away. I'll have to make it look like I died on a mission."
"Thoughtful," Tōshirō said approvingly.
"And how can I be sure you won't go back on your word once it's done?"
Tōshirō's smile thinned. "Pray."
Rōran frowned. "What did you say?"
"Pray that I'll keep my promise," Tōshirō said mockingly. "After all, I'm too strong—no one can restrain me. Isn't that right?"
Rōran's jaw tightened. The words stung because they were true. His voice was harsh, defiant. "You'd better keep your word. Otherwise, even as a vengeful spirit, I'll haunt you forever."
Tōshirō chuckled. "Oh, I'm far scarier than any ghost."
A few days later, at the appointed place—
Tōshirō asked, "All your affairs taken care of?"
Rōran nodded. Looking around, he noticed Orochimaru was still Tōshirō's only companion. "Where are we going next?"
"Nowhere," Tōshirō said, a faint tremor of excitement in his tone. "Here is fine."
Rōran frowned, confused.
Tōshirō pressed his palms together. A moment later, the ground split open—and with a sharp crack, a coffin rose from the earth.
The lid creaked open on its own. Inside stood a beautiful woman with long blonde hair and a voluptuous figure—though her flawless face was marred by visible cracks.
From the moment she appeared, Rōran noticed the change in Tōshirō's demeanor. The way he looked at her—gentle, reverent, filled with deep, aching love.
This woman was…
Rōran narrowed his eyes. He had a good guess.
He closed his eyes briefly and sighed. Whatever their relationship was, it no longer mattered. It was too late for him to care.
Opening his eyes again, he stepped forward, clasped his hands together, and placed them gently over Tsunade's abdomen.
Off to the side, Orochimaru chuckled. "You must be quite nervous right now."
Tōshirō didn't reply. He didn't even dare to breathe too loudly. His eyes were fixed on the scene before him. Using the Dragon Blood Rebirth Technique on an Edo Tensei body was just a theory—he didn't know if it would work.
Rise again, my love.
Tōshirō clasped his hands tightly together, fingers interlocked, as though in prayer. And as if in response to his wish, white smoke began to drift from Tsunade's body. The cracks on her skin slowly vanished, her complexion returning to a warm, living flush.
Seeing it work, Tōshirō's joy was uncontrollable. His face lit up with barely contained excitement.
Moments later, Tsunade's brows twitched—she was awakening.
At that same moment, Rōran withdrew his hands, staggering back. His eyelids drooped, his face pale as chalk. The jutsu had drained every last drop of his life force, transferring it all into Tsunade's body.
"Remember your promise…" he whispered hoarsely.
Coughing weakly, his body gave out. He collapsed, eyes closing forever.
As Rōran's life ended, Tsunade slowly opened hers. Through the haze of rebirth, the first thing she saw was a familiar face gazing at her tenderly.
Even though his hair had changed color, that tear-filled expression—she recognized it instantly.
"Tōshirō…?"
The moment she spoke his name, Tōshirō couldn't restrain himself any longer. He rushed forward and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
"Ah—!"
A chill spread across Tsunade's body, and she cried out.
"What's wrong?" Tōshirō asked anxiously.
"I-it's cold," she stammered, shivering.
Tōshirō suddenly remembered his current state and released her reluctantly.
At that moment, Tsunade noticed the man standing nearby, watching their reunion with amusement.
"Orochimaru?"
Orochimaru smiled thinly. "Long time no see, Tsunade…"
"I remember… I died back then, didn't I?" Tsunade murmured, recalling her final moments.
"You did," Tōshirō explained. "But I used a forbidden technique to bring you back."
"A forbidden technique?"
Tsunade blinked, startled. She'd heard of reanimation jutsu before, but this—true resurrection—was something else entirely. Learning such a jutsu must have cost him dearly.
Her eyes softened with affection. "I see… you've suffered for this. Your hair's turned white… but why does everything else about you look exactly the same?"
"That's… a long story."
There were so many things Tōshirō wanted to tell her, but with Orochimaru standing nearby like an awkward third wheel, this wasn't the time. "Let's talk after we get back to the village."
"Alright," she said gently—then noticed a man lying motionless on the ground. "Who's that?"
"Uh… some bandit who tried to rob us. I knocked him out."
Tōshirō brushed it off quickly.
He knew Tsunade would never approve if she learned he had used another's life to resurrect her.
In truth, resurrecting Tsunade had cost him two lives—the life of the Edo Tensei vessel, and Rōran's.
"Robber, huh?"
Tsunade smiled faintly. "That thief picked the wrong people to rob—he kicked an iron plate."
Still, she thought, the man didn't quite look like someone who'd just been knocked out…
Before she could question it further, Tōshirō hurriedly changed the subject. "Alright, enough about him. Let's head back to the village."
Tsunade's resurrection filled Tōshirō with pure, childlike joy. He was almost giddy as he spoke. "You'll be shocked when we return—Fugaku's already a father of two! And guess who his wife is? You'll never believe it—Mikoto!"
Tsunade blinked, stunned. "Mikoto? You mean that girl from your Uchiha clan?"
"Who else?" Tōshirō teased with a grin. "Who would've thought Fugaku would be such a young romantic?"
"They already have two children?" Tsunade gasped. "Wait… if that's true, then… what year is it now?"
Tōshirō thought for a moment. "Probably Konoha Year 58."
"Konoha Year 58…" Tsunade's eyes widened. She began counting on her slender fingers. "Then I've been dead for decades?"
Tōshirō sighed softly. "In a sense, yes."
Tsunade lowered her gaze, rubbing her chin thoughtfully, deep in thought.
Seeing this, Tōshirō guessed what she was thinking. She's going to ask about her brother, he thought bitterly. If she knew the truth… that he died young, just like before… it would break her heart.
Tsunade looked up suddenly, her gaze sharp and probing.
Tōshirō felt a flicker of guilt. "What is it?"
Her expression darkened suspiciously, like a wife catching her husband in a lie. "All these years… you didn't pick up any new women while I was gone, did you?"
"…Huh?"
(End of Chapter)
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